Show-Me State Times

Catholic Vote President Brian Burch said the NFL's statement distancing themselves from Kansas City Chiefs' kicker Harrison Butker after his commencement speech at Benedictine college regarding his Catholic beliefs does not align their their commitment to genuine diversity and inclusion."

“In that speech, for which he received a standing ovation, Butker called on Catholics to live up to the high ideals of our Faith, including the defense of the dignity of every human life, the foundational role of the family, and the gift of motherhood," Burch told Show-Me State Times. "These ideals are not controversial for millions of Americans and indeed remain sacred for millions of religious believers, including millions of the NFL's fans and customers. The recent statement by the league distancing itself from Butker for his remarks calls into question the NFL's commitment to genuine diversity and inclusion.”

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has requested that Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas provide all documents and records pertaining to the Kansas City X post about Kansas City Chiefs’ kicker Harrison Butker, reported Show-Me State Times.

The post, published on the Kansas City X account on May 15, provided personal information on Butker in response to his recent commencement speech at Benedictine college where he said statements about his personal Catholic beliefs. The post was removed and an apology was posted, saying “we apologies for our previous tweet. It was shared in error.”

Attorney General Bailey sent a letter to Mayor Lucas, which said “Missourians of faith deserve to know why Kansas City officials decided to attack Mr. Butker for his deeply held religious beliefs. My office will not tolerate religious discrimination from City officials. I will enforce the Missouri Human Rights Act to ensure Missourians are not targeted for their free exercise of religion.”

In his speech, Butker said "the world around us says that we should keep our beliefs to ourselves whenever they go against the tyranny of diversity, equity and inclusion. We fear speaking truth, because now, unfortunately, truth is in the minority." 

Bailey also addressed other efforts against Butker, including comments against Butker from the NFL. “Missouri’s Human Rights Act prohibits government actors from discriminating against citizens because of their sincerely held religious beliefs,” Bailey said. “To any employer or government official considering such a move, I assure you that I am prepared to use the authority provided in statute to defend the principle of free religious expression.”

Madison, Wisconsin-based Catholic Vote is an advocacy organization that wants to “inspire every Catholic in America to live out the truths of our faith in public life,” according to the group’s website. Founded in 2008, its president is Brian Burch.